I'm not exactly a fan of reporting on Kickstarter projects, but I guess I can't really ignore this one any longer.

Thorium Core is a commercial distribution of ReactOS, the Open Source Windows compatible operating system, targeted for cloud computing

Thorium Core is an attempt to build a commercial operating system and cloud services platform, based on ReactOS, which is an Open Source implementation of the NT architecture seen in modern versions of Windows.

It would seem that cloning Windows NT - in the end a neverending chase while wearing a stone around your neck and with your feet glued to a concrete block on Jupiter - is no longer a reasonable future goal. I kind of have my doubts about this project, but as always - major credit for trying.

Your analogy doesn't at all describe the situation with Windows you are complaining about. Your analogy is more a description of, say, buying Windows, but having to pay again for keyboard/mouse support

A more apt analogy would be you feel that the automaker should install, for free, a newly designed automatic parallel parking system into your 2001 Honda Civic.

When you purchased Windows XP 13 years ago, it was a known quantity, just as a 2001 Honda Civic was if you bought one 13 years ago. You are arguing that as technology improves after your purchase, all the engineering effort should be given to you after the fact, 13 years later.

If there are safety issues with your 2001 Civic - say, faulty door latch, the dealer is responsible for issuing recalls and repairing those faults - just as Microsoft has been patching and fixing bugs and security holes in XP for 14 years. But, you don't get major design or feature changes for free - Honda doesn't owe you a self-parking feature simply because new the new Prius has it.

What's the big difference between Office 97 and 365 ? You can still write letters, why preventing to run Office 97 on new version of Windows if not to turn you into a cash cow ?

You can still run Office '97 under Windows 2000, no? This isn't at all affected by newer versions of Windows or newer versions of Office. You don't think it's at all unreasonable to demand new features be given to you for a product you bought 15+ years ago?